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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.

Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.

Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "emm r." <dpetin444@katamail.com>
Date: Tue, 5 Aug 2014 15:02:42 -0700
Subject: Dearest Friend.!

Dearest Friend.

Beloved I need your Urgent help as i do not know whom to meet, I believe
that With The Confidence and trust, which I found in you I decided to
confide on you.

I am Miss Esthel Ashawu, 17 yrs old and the daughter of my late parents
Mr/Mrs Ashawu. My father was a highly reputable business market
(Gold-N-Scrap) who operated in the capital of Libya, Benghazi during his
days. It is sad to say that he passed away mysteriously in Europe during
one of his business trips abroad.

Though his sudden death was linked or rather suspected to have been
masterminded by an uncle of his who traveled with him at that time.My
mother died when I was just 6 yrs old, and since then my father took me so
special. Before his death my father Willed to me the sum of Eighteen
million Six hundred thousand United State Dollars ($ 18.600,000) left in a
company.

I can not go After this money because of my Age that is why i am Contacting
you now to Present you as my step-family.

I am just 17 yrs old, and really don't know what to do. This is because I
have suffered a lot of set back as a result of incessant political crisis
here in Libya, Benghazi.The problem of my father actually brought sorrow to
my life. Dear, I am in a sincere desire of your humble assistance in this
regards to move the money to your country and Adopt me as your Adopted
Child.


Consider this From the Bottom of your Heart and Accept me as Your Adopted
Child as i do not Have Parents and a Little Girl at my age still Need
Parental Care.

Thank you so much. Your suggestions and ideas will be highly regarded.

My sincere regards,

Esthel.

Anti-fraud resources: